Physical and Mental Benefits of Chair Yoga for Older Adults: A Case Series.

Fitness and rehabilitation professionals commonly use yoga training for improving balance, flexibility, and mental health in populations of all ages. However, little is known about how chair yoga, a specific form of yoga, would impact physical and mental health in older adults. The purpose of this case series was to explore the feasibility and benefits of an 8-week chair yoga class for older adults in an independent living facility. Four participants (ages 77-92 years) performed chair yoga interventions once a week for 8 weeks. Interventions included, but were not limited to, 10 minutes of warm-up including breathwork and range of motion, 10-15 minutes of peak movements including forward folds, bicycles, bird dog, squats, and boat pose, and 5-10 minutes of cool down including backbends, camel, seated cross, gentle spinal flexion and extension, and breathwork. Participants were tested prior to the start and re-tested at the end of 8 weeks. Outcome measures included the Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment and the short form health survey (SF-36). Improvements were made for all participants in the Tinetti and all except one participant improved on one or more of the SF-36 subscales. Chair yoga training was feasible for four older adults with comorbidities and may have additional benefits for functional mobility and strength. Further research studies with larger sample sizes are needed to continue exploring the benefits of this understudied intervention for older adults.